Passenger Demand Plunges in March as Travel Restrictions Take Hold
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for March 2020 showing that demand (measured in total revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) dived 52.9% compared to the year-ago period. This was the largest decline in recent history, reflecting the impact of government actions to slow the spread of COVID-19. In seasonally adjusted […]
Immediate and Severe Air Cargo Capacity Crunch
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March air cargo performance demonstrating a severe capacity shortfall. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometers (CTKs*), fell by 15.2% in March compared to the previous year (-15.8% for international markets). Global capacity, measured in available cargo tonne kilometers (ACTKs), shrank by 22.7% in March compared […]
Virgin Atlantic financial assistance ruled out by Delta
Virgin Atlantic can expect no financial assistance from 49% shareholder Delta Air Lines, the US carrier has made clear, after the UK airline’s request for state aid was rebuffed last week. Delta chief executive Ed Bastian told analysts: “We are not in a position to make any financial commitments to any [strategic partners].” US carrier […]
Southwest CEO: Airline will be ‘drastically smaller’ if business doesn’t improve soon
Southwest Airlines may have to force cuts in pay and benefits to avoid involuntary furloughs if air travel doesn’t improve dramatically in the coming months, CEO Gary Kelly said in a video to employees Thursday. Dallas-based Southwest has suspended more than half of its flights and plans to drop more in the coming weeks. Kelly […]
Could Airlines Require Immunity Passports for Travelers to Fly Again?
Although the coronavirus is still proliferating around the globe, airlines have begun to look at what it will take to get fliers back on planes en masse in a post-pandemic world. Blocking middle seats in the name of social distancing and deep sanitizing of plane cabins will likely be sticking around for the foreseeable future, […]
Air New Zealand cancela definitivamente la ruta Auckland-Ezeiza
Air New Zealand no reanudará la operación de las rutas suspendidas previamente: Auckland-Buenos Aires y Los Ángeles-Londres debido al profundo impacto del COVID-19 en la demanda de viajes futuros. La aerolínea también ha tomado la decisión de aplazar el inicio de su servicio sin escalas Auckland-Nueva York desde octubre de 2020 hasta finales de 2021 […]
Delta CEO Says Recovery Could Take Two to Three Years
Delta Air Lines CEO, Ed Bastian, told CNBC in an interview that the carrier is flying only about five percent of its usual passenger loads, with air-travel demand being nearly wiped out, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and government-imposed measures (e.g., stay-at-home orders and severe travel restrictions) put in place to slow the spread […]
Virgin Atlantic needs state support to survive: Branson
Virgin Atlantic needs government support to survive the coronavirus crisis, the airline’s founder warned today. In a 20 April blog post, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson writes: “Together with the team at Virgin Atlantic, we will do everything we can to keep the airline going – but we will need government support to achieve that […]
American Airlines CEO Shares Video Message With Customers, Employees
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker addressed customers and employees during a new video highlighting the company’s game plan moving forward during the coronavirus outbreak. Parker said the airline is proud to continue operating flights, despite it being on a reduced schedule. The carrier is providing vital service to medical professionals and travelers flying to a […]
FAA extends slot relief at US airports until October
The FAA says it will extend slot relief at seven major US airports through the summer travel season so that airlines will not be penalized as a result of reduced flying schedules caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In an order published on 16 April, the regulatory body says that its coronavirus-related limited waiver of the […]
